Transfer of Technology Programmes at NEH region

At Arunachal Pradesh

A Training-cum-Demonstration on ‘Interventions of CIFT technologies’ for the benefit of fisherfolk, progressive farmers and  women self help group’ was conducted by the Visakhapatnam Research Centre of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) under the NEH plan at Iduli and Jia villages of Roing, Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh during17-19 March, 2013. The training was conducted at one of the progressive fish farmer’s farm. Fifty trainees which included tribal fishers, progressive farmers and different women self help group members participated in the programme. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Duym Davi, Fisheries Development Officer, Roing, who released the pamphlet on ‘Fish Pickle’ preparation in local language and he  informed the gathering that this type of training programme will enhance entrepreneurship among self help group women and thanked CIFT for the interventions. Dr. R. Raghu Prakash and Dr L.N. Murthy, Senior Scientists, CIFT, Dr. T.J. Ramesha, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Roing, Shri Jimmy Mize, Subject Matter Specialist, KVK, Roing, Shri Raju Linggi, progressive farmer of Iduli and Jia Village of Lower Dibong Vally District addressed the gathering during the inaugural session.

The training session imparted various harvesting methods that could be employed in harvesting resources from the fast flowing rivers, small reservoirs and different farm levels. The trainees till date were aware of only using monofilament gillnets, cast nets and local made bamboo traps for harvesting the resources.  Training was given in fabricating simple multifilament gillnets set either at bottom, mid-water or surface. Also they were exposed to fabrication of multi-mesh gill nets using three different mesh size webbings based on the species available in three columns of the reservoir. A few foldable traps were distributed for further use. Training was also imparted on use of troll lines and hook and line for freshwater fishes. Technical information was disseminated to the trainees on various types of baits for use in reservoirs. Inputs such as simple multifilament gill nets (4 Nos.), multifilament multi mesh gill nets (2 Nos.), plastic coated iron meshed foldable traps (10 Nos.), troll lines, hooks and artificial baits were distributed for the benefit of the trainees.

The training session on ‘Value added products’ comprised of lectures on different methods of fish processing, different types of value added fish products, hygienic handling of fish and importance of packaging. Practical training was imparted to the tribal fisherfolk and other self help group members on the preparation of fish pickle using freshwater fish, preparation of fish mince employing a meat mincer, preparation of fish pakoda, breaded and battered products and preparation of fish cutlets. Demonstration of fish wafers was performed. Inputs such as, insulated fish bags (4 Nos.), heat sealing machines (2 Nos.), meat mincers (2 Nos.) and standup pouches, masks and mouth guards were distributed for the benefit of the trainees.

Pamphlets in Arunachal Pradesh local language on the preparation of fish pickle and fish cutlets were prepared and distributed to the trainees. Posters on  ‘Health benefits of fish’ and ‘Protocol of smoking kiln’ were displayed. During the valedictory session, the trainees gave the feedback. The trainees informed that they were unaware that fish can be converted into so many different value added products and said that they would try their best to utilize the acquired skills for income generation and also requested CIFT to help in setting up of a small plant for hands-on training programme at Roing for the betterment of SHGs. Dr. T.J. Ramesha, Programme Coordinator, thanked CIFT for conducting the training-cum-demonstration programme at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Roing Arunachal Pradesh and expressed his support for future collaborative programmes.

At Tripura

A training-cum-demonstration programme on ‘Hygienic production of smoke-cured fish using Community Fish Smoking Kiln’ was conducted at ICAR Research Complex, Lembucherra, Tripura and KVK, South Tripura during 20-23 March, 2013. Major objectives of the programmes were: i). To install two Community Fish Smoking Kiln (COFISKI) units, and ii). To conduct Training-Cum-Demonstration for hygienic production of Smoke-cured fish using Community Fish Smoking Kiln

The training session comprised of lectures on different methods on fish preservation, health benefit of fish consumption, importance of smoking fish using COFISKI and practical training on  hygienic production of smoke-cured fish using COFISKI. Kum. Jesmi Debbarma, Scientist, Shri A.K. Panigrahi and Shri K.V.S.S.S.K. Haranath, Technical Officers from Visakhapatnam Research Centre of CIFT were involved in conducting the programme. The programmes were inaugurated by Dr. M. Dutta, Joint Director at ICAR Complex, Lembucherra, Tripura and Dr. A.K. Singh, Programme Coordinator at KVK, South Tripura. Two COFISKI Units were installed at ICAR complex, Lembucherra, Tripura and KVK, South Tripura. About 100 fishermen and fisherwomen were benefited from both the programmes.

At Mizoram

A Training-cum-Demonstration (TCD) Programme on ‘Harvest and post harvest technologies’ was conducted by the Visakhapatnam Research Centre of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Lengpui, Mamit District, Mizoram during 26-28 March 2013.

The programme was conducted by Dr. U. Sreedhar and Dr. B. Madhusudana Rao, Senior Scientists and was assisted by Shri B.K. Panda, Technical. Shri Vanlalhruaia Hnamte, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Lengpui and Shri Md Mintul Ali, SMS (Fishery) helped the team in conducting the programme. Fifty participants from Dinthar, Venglai, Kanan Veng, Model Veng, Vengthar, Venghlui and Lengpui villages attended the programme.

The training session on ‘Harvest technologies’ included lectures on various harvesting methods that could be employed in Mizoram for harvesting resources from various water bodies. The Mizoram fishermen till date were aware of only using cast nets and hand held scoop nets for harvesting the resources in their water bodies.  Hazardous practices such as use of dynamites and fish poisons are also used. An awareness lecture on the hazards of use of dynamites and fish poisons was given to the fishermen. Training was given in fabricating simple multifilament gill nets set either at bottom, mid-water or surface. Also they were exposed to fabrication of multi mesh gill nets using three different mesh size webbings based on the species available in three columns of the water bodies. Till date, the predatory fishes were not being exploited in the water bodies of Mizoram. For this purpose hands on training was given in fabricating and setting of foldable traps for exploiting these resources. A few foldable traps were distributed for further use. Training was also imparted on use of troll lines and hook and line for fresh water predatory fishes. Information was disseminated to the tribal folk on various types of baits used for freshwater carnivores and herbivores fishes. A preliminary discussion was done with the KVK officials and fishermen on the prospects of introducing FRP coracles in the water bodies of Mizoram. Fishermen expressed deep desire to adopt this technology.

The training session on ‘Post-harvest technologies’ comprised of lectures on different methods of fish processing, different types of value added fish products, hygienic handling of fish and importance of packaging. Practical training was imparted on the preparation of fish pickle using freshwater fish, preparation of fish mince employing meat mincer, preparation of fish balls and fish cutlets and preparation of smoked fish. Demonstration of fish wafers was performed. Training was imparted on hygienic packaging of fish pickle and smoked fish.

Inputs such as simple multifilament multi mesh gill nets (4 Nos.), plastic meshed foldable traps (5 Nos.), troll lines, hooks and artificial baits for better harvesting and inputs such as meat mincers (2 Nos.), heat sealing machines (3 Nos.), insulated fish bags (3 Nos.) and standup pouches of different capacities, aprons, gloves, masks and caps were distributed for the benefit of the trainees. The inputs were handed over to KVK, Lengpui and the Project Coordinator assured that these inputs would be made available to the trainees for use. Posters on the ‘Health benefits of fish’ and ‘Hygienic preparation of smoke-curing of fish using Community Fish Smoking Kiln’ were displayed.

During the valedictory session, two of the participants viz., Shri Lal Lawmkima and Ms. Sanskhumi gave the feedback on the programmes.  The trainees expressed that this training gave them an opportunity to learn many things related to fisheries. They informed that they would try their best to utilize the newly acquired skills for income generation. Shri Vanlalhruaia Hnamte, Programme Coordinator, thanked CIFT for conducting the programme and extended his support for future collaborative programmes. The training programme was telecasted through Door Darshan Mizoram on 28^th March, 2013.